As I am writing this post it is currently forecasted to be the hottest day on record in Adelaide. It is again that time of the year when Australian teachers and students are making the most of their last week of holidays by heading down to the beach and trying to keep cool. It is also a good time to plan for the new term and reflect on how far we have come over the past twelve months. A year ago, my summer recess was again coming to an end and I started to ask myself a few questions about the current way I was teaching our curriculum. I was not really sure how to tackle my doubts, I just had the feeling that our current curriculum and the way we were asking students to learn it was not preparing them for a world where they would be facing global issues such as climate change and poverty. A colleague had lent me a copy of a book called Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds by Julie Lindsay and Vicki Davis. I read it from cover to cover and knew I had to get involved with these inspiring teachers, and this is what led me on the path to becoming a Flat Connections Global Educator through the online course. During this challenging and exciting program Julie Lindsay and a group of encouraging, enthusiastic teachers from all around the world met online on a weekly basis to discus how to ‘flatten the walls’ of our classrooms and schools and to create opportunities to collaborate, communicate and be creative with students and teachers globally. The people you meet are amazing, they are from so many different backgrounds but we all shared values regarding the importance of educating students in a manner that reflects our global community now and in the future. I was opened up to a whole new world made up of words and acronyms that I had never heard before. At first I was utterly confused by the statements; ‘Join the ning’ and ‘create your PLN’, however I quickly embraced these virtual spaces and was excited about what they could offer students, teachers and parents. I learnt so much about Web 2.0 tools, online platforms and the authentic use of technology in the classroom. Instead of concentrating on the negative stereotypes surrounding young people and online behavior we focused on how to encourage our students to be respectful digital citizens, which is crucial in a world where students are constantly being bombarded with social media. One of the most valuable aspects of the course was reflecting on our role as educators and the part we play in guiding our students into a world where they see themselves as global citizens and are committed to life long learning. I highly recommend that teachers take part in this course and experience a different way of teaching, learning and thinking. Professionally, I have gained so much from being a part of the Flat Connections Community. In the last twelve months my understanding of the dynamic nature of education in the 21st century has developed and I look forward to my ongoing connections with all of my global colleagues. See More